
mmmrn. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 






Shelf .-S.l 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 



/ 



HANDB00K 



-( FOR )- 



tiarclwoocl Qumb 



enmen 



CONTAINING 



[^ULES P0R Inspection., 




1888 : 

BROOKS &. COMPANY, 

Cleveland, O. 



9 



"i^ 



^y 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1888, by 
J. L. STANLEY, in the office of the Librarian of Con- 
gress, at Washington. 



f-^ 



SELECTING TIMBER. 

In selecting timber for special purposes the 
soil in which it has grown, thrift and age of the 
trees and exposure to the sun, should be taken 
into consideration. If the qualities desired are 
strength and elasticity, young and thrifty trees, 
which have grown on lowlands or south hill- 
sides, exposed to the sun, should be selected. 
For durability, trees which have grown in the 
forest, on the uplands or north hill-sides and in 
dark, gravelly or sandy soil, will give the best re- 
sults. The lower part of a tree is the strongest, 
most elastic and durable, and the wood near the 
heart is the best for nearly all purposes. 

Timber, selected for durability, should not be 
felled while the sap is flowing. The nearer 
maturity, the more durable the wood. Timber, 
which has passed maturity and is on the decline, 
is of inferior quality, and, in some kinds, the 
wood near the bark will be brash, with occa- 
sional doted spots or streaks. White Ash tim- 
ber, which is on the decline, frequently shows 
doted spots soon after maturity, and, if a branch 
or the bark has been torn off, a streak will some- 



times extend (juite a distance along tlie body of 
the tree. 

The condition of timber may be ascertained by 
tlie color and the amount of the foliage, by the 
bark, and by the general appearance of the trees. 

FELLING TIMBER. 

The time of year for felling timber has hereto- 
fore been considered as of little consequence, but 
the constantly increasing demand for lumber 
from fall or winter-felled timber must eventually 
be recognized as an important matter. 

The wood from timber felled when the sap is 
flowing will soon become discolored, if piled 
without crossings or where the air cannot circu- 
late freely and the gases escape easily. It is 
more liable to be eaten by worms, will warp more 
and decay sooner, than wood from timber felled 
in the fall or early winter. 

August and September are, perhaps, the best 
months, but for all ordinary purposes timber may 
be felled from the first of August to the middle 
of February — or until the sap commences to 
flow. 

Large and valuable timber should be felled 
with the saw, and should be cut near the 
ground, as the lower part of a tree is the best. 
A saving of one foot in length of a tree thirty-six 
inches in diameter, is a saving of from fifty to 
sixty feet of lumber, board measurement. Saws 
used fo;- felling, should have one handle bolted 
—4— 



on so that it can be easily taken off and the saw 
drawn out endways, if desired. One or two iron 
wedges shoukl be driven in after the saw to })re- 
vent its becoming fast. 

Leaning trees shoukl be cut so that they will fall 
at right angles to the direction in which they in- 
cline. This can be easily accomplished by first 
cutting about one fourth through the tree on the 
side on which it is desired to fell it, and then 
sawing in on the opposite side and forcing it over 
with wedges. 

Trees, felled with the axe, should be cut 
deeper at the center than near the bark, to pre- 
vent tearing and splitting the wood when falling. 

MANUFACTURING LUMBER. 

This is a matter of so much importance to the 
producer that a person cannot successfully manu- 
facture lumber for the market without a fair 
knowledge of the business. Men of experience 
are aware that it is the firsts and seconds which 
make the profit, and that the commons and culls 
do not sell for much, if anything, more than the 
expense of manufacturing and marketing, added 
to the cost of the timber. This being the case, 
care should be taken in the selection of tim- 
ber, and good judgment exercised in cutting and 
sawing the logs and preparing the lumber for 
market. 

When the slab is taken off and a face of six or 
eight inches is obtained, one inch boards should 
-5- 



be sawed (except in lumber less than two inches 
in thickness or from large logs) until the log will 
6(|uare, then the square should be sawed into the 
desired dimensions, making the lumber as wide 
as a ta.c^ of the square. The heart pieces should 
be taken to the edger or log carriage and the 
heart cut out of all merchantable lumber. Where 
the heart is large, or defective from rot or shakes, 
it is sometimes advisable to saw around it, lear- 
ing a square in the center. Siding boards, and 
all other lumber, should be edged, as lumber 
which has not straight or passably even edges is 
excluded from the upper grades. 

After the lumber has been sawed it should be 
carefully looked over and pieces with defects, 
which will furnish a first or second piece from 
one side, should be taken to the edger and the 
good piece ripped off, and pieces witli defects 
near the end should be cut off if ten feet will re- 
main. 

Lumber should always be sawed one sixteenth 
of an inch thicker, for each inch in thickness, 
than the size required when seasoned, as a short- 
age in thickness will reduce the piece to culls or 
to the next standard thickness below. Lumber 
not full in length is reduced to the next standard 
length below. 

QUARTER- SAWING LUMBER. 

Logs for quarter-sawing should be of the best 
quality and not less than 28 inches in diameter. 



Manufacturers should remember that this kind of 
lumber is usually finished in the natural color of 
the wood, and that worm-holes and discolored 
spots are very objectionable defects. 

Care should be taken to saw the lumber as 
nearly straight across the grain of the wood as 
possible. Many plans for quarter-sawing have 
been tried, but those given below are the ones 
generally used, and the cutting of each quarter 
separately is considered the best. 




Fig. 2. 




Fig. 3. 




Fig. 4. 




Fijr. n. 




Fife'. 6. 



Figure I represents a log divided into quarters, 
and shows how the (juarters should be sawed. 

Figure 2 represents a ((uarter in position for 
sawing. 

Figure 3 represents one half of a log in posi- 
tion for sawing from e to d; Fig. 4 in position 
for sawing from d to c; Fig. 5 in position for saw- 
ing from c to b, and Fig. 6 in position for sawing 
from b to a. 



SEASONING LUMBER. 

Green lumber contains from 25 to 45 per cent, 
of liquid matter. After one year's seasoning, one 
inch lumber will contain from 8 to 11 per cent. 

The slow process of drying lumber under sheds 
is the best, because more of the strength and last- 
ing qualities of the wood are retained, but, for 
many purposes, the quick process of kiln-drying 
by steam and hot air gives satisfaction, provided 
the lumber has been on sticks long enough to 
prevent warping and checking. 

When lumber is sawed it sliould immediately 
be placed on narrow sticks of even thickness, one 
stick being directly over another, with the ends 
projecting a trifle beyond the lumber. A space of 
one inch between the layers is recommended, ex- 
cept in Oak, Hickory and Asli, which give better 
results when there is only a small space. Boards 
should never be used for crossings in piling green 
lumber, as the wood will stain and decay between 
the crossings, and the lumber will become uneven 
in width and thickness. It should be piled with 
slope enough to carry off the rain, where the air 
can circulate freely and it will be protected from 
the sun aud warm currents of air during the sum- 
mer months, as the wood will clieck if the liquid 
near the surface evaporates too rapidly. 

After the lumber is thoroughly seasoned, it 
should be taken off the sticks and re-piled or care- 
fully placed under cover, where rain or moisture 



from the ground cannot affect it. The alternate 
changing from a moist to a dry atmosphere, and 
vice versa, hastens the decay of wood. In a per- 
fectly dry atmosphere, or in fresh water, the 
durability of wood is almost unlimited. 

LOADING LUMBER FOR SHIPMENT. 

Lumber for shipment by rail should be loaded 
in box cars, as the sun and rain will damage 
exposed lumber, while the dust and fragments of 
charred fuel will cause it to present an unfair 
appearance. When two or more grades are sold 
at different prices, and delivered on the same car, 
each grade should be kept separate. If more than 
one length is shipped, each length should also be 
kept separate. Lumber should always be loaded 
with the ends even at the middle of the car. 

Care should be taken to load so that the lumber 
will present a fair, average appearance, as con- 
clusions are frequently formed from first sight. 

ADVANTAGES OF SELLING IN 
GRADES. 

Inexperienced lumbermen are usually prejud- 
iced against the grading system. Experience, 
however, not only teaches the justice of it, but 
demonstrates that it is beneficial, and the only 
l)usiness-like way of conducting the lumber trade. 

In the first place, the timber is more carefully 
selected. The logs are made desirable lengthsand 
the lumber is better manufactured. This means 
-11- 



more protit to the manufacturer. When log-run 
is sold in one grade, at one price, there is not the 
care that should be taken in sawing and preparing 
the lumber for market. If firsts and culls bring 
the same price, persons will not spend the time 
necessary to manufacture and care for lumber as 
it should be done. This is certainly a mistake, 
because, according to tiie quality and the w^ay the 
lumber is manufactured and seasoned, the price 
should be, and usually is, fixed, Avhether in one or 
four grades. 

Another advantage in grading is, that the lum- 
ber is measured full. This obviates the objection- 
able feature from which so many differences arise 
— that of deducting for defects. 

Finally, in selling by this system, the lumber is 
graded and measured according to rules, with 
which all lumbermen may, and should, be familiar. 
A knowledge of the rules will greatly aid in man- 
ufacturing, and will place the manufacturer in a 
position to know whether or not lumber is inspected 
correctly. 

LOG-RUN LUMBER MEASURED 
MERCHANTABLE. 

The practice of measuring lumber merchantable, 
or measuring only what will work clear, is one 
which should not be recognized by the manufac- 
turer, dealer or any person engaged in the lumber 
business, for the reason that, since no rules can be 
given for governing the measurement, there can 
—12- 



be no intelligent understanding between the seller 
and the buyer. 

The manufacturer knows, or should know, the 
(quality and condition of his lumber. This be- 
ing true, it is reasonable to suppose that lumber 
running well into firsts and seconds, will be sold 
in grades, and that lumber from inferior locfs, 
poorly manufactured, or not in fair condition, will 
be offered as log-run measured merchantable. It 
will be readily seen that, thus far, the selling party 
has a leading advantage, since the buyer, even if 
he has seen the timber or piles of lumber, can 
form an opinion only from the general appearance. 

On the other hand, the purchasing party is per- 
mitted to be the judge of what portion of a piece 
will work clear, and, as no definite rules can be 
given, the inspector decides how much should be 
deducted for defects. For some purposes a piece 
might work clear three fourths of its full size, 
while, for another purpose, it might not work one 
half clear. This is one cause of the differences in 
measurement so frequently found. Another reason 
is that persons often buy what they are led to 
believe is much better stock than that delivered to 
them, and, as a last resort, to protect themselves 
from loss, they subject the lumber to a rigid 
inspection. 

If any person insists on selling or buying log-run 
lumber in one grade, there should be a guaranty of 
a certain per cent, of the upper grades, and the 
measurement should be full. 

-13- 



LOGS FOR SHIPMENT. 

Large select timber of the higher priced woods 
can frequently be marketed at a better advantage 
in logs than in lumber. There is a demand for 
choice logs of Walnut, C/herry, Oak, etc., for 
shipment to our home and foreign markets. 

Logs for this purpose must be large and of the 
best quality, free from rot, splits and knots, and 
twelve, fourteen or sixteen feet long. The di- 
ameter should not be less than twenty-four inches 
in Walnut, twenty inches in Cherry, and twenty- 
eight inches in Oak and Po})lar. 

As soon as the logs are cut the ends should be 
well covered with paint, containing one and one 
half pounds of salt to the gallon, to prevent 
checking, and the bark should be taken ojffi and 
the log hewed to the deptli of the sap on four or 
eight sides. 

Logs for shipment are generally sold at the 
actual measurement — no allowance being made 
for saw curfs, as in tables reducing logs to board 
measure. 



Red Cedar, White Oak, Walnut and Chestnut, 
are durable woods in dry places, in fresh water, 
or when buried in the ground. 

The strength of many kinds of lumber, such as 
White Ash, White Oak and Hickory, is increased 
by seasoning, but the elasticity is decreased. 
-14- 



Lumber from timber whicb has been immersed 
in water will season much sooner and warp less, 
when placed on sticks, than lumber which has 
not been water seasoned. 

The shrinkage in seasoning Poplar, PJasswood, 
Chestnut, Cottonwood and similar woods, is from 
one eighteentli to one twenty-fourth, and in Oak 
Maple, Walnut and Cherry, from one twenty- 
second to one twenty-eighth. 

The breaking strain of different kinds of wood, 
2 inches square and 12 inches long, is as follows, 
viz: 

Ironwood 15,000 lbs. 

Hickory 7.700 " 

White Oak 6,800 " 

Hard Maple 5,400 " 

White Ash 5,300 " 

Cedar 8,200 " 

Poplar, yellow 2,700 " 

White Pine 2,800 " 



-15- 



RULBS 

GOVERNING THE 

Inspection of Hardwood Lumber. 

WALNUT, CHERRY AND 
BUTTERNUT. 

Standard lengths are 12, 14 and 10 feet. 
Twenty per cent, of 10 feet, or 12 per cent, of 8 
feet, will be admitted. 

Standard thicknesses are 1, 1], Ih, 2, 2J, 3 and 
4 inches. 

Special thicknesses are h, f, f, f, o and 
inches. 

Firsts must be at least 8 inches wide and free 
from defects, with the following exceptions, viz: — 

Ten inches, or over, wide will admit of I the 
width of the piece of bright sap showing only on 
one side, or a straight split in one end of a board 
or plank equal in length to the width of the 
piece. 

Sixteen inches, or over, wide will admit of 
one standard knot showing only on one side. 
-K)- 



Seconds must he at least G inches wide and 
tree from defects up to 8 inches in widtn. Eight 
inches, or over, wide will admit of a straight 
split in one end, not exceeding in length twice the 
width of the piece, or \ the width of the piece of 
hrjght sap showing only on one side, or defects 
e(jual to standard knots, as follows : 8, 9, 10 and 
11 inches wide, one defect; 12, 13, 14 and 15 
inches wide, two defects; 16 inches and over, 
three defects. 

Commons must be at least 4 inches wide and 
free from defects up to (5 inches in width. Six 
and 7 inches wide will admit of 2 inches of 
bright sap showing only on one side, or a straigiit 
split in one end, not exceeding \ the length of 
the piece, or one defect equal to a standard knot. 
Eight inches, or over, wide will admit of twice 
as many defects, equal to standard knots, as are 
admitted in seconds, or a straight split in one 
end, not exceeding }, the length of the piece, or h 
the width of the piece of bright sap showing only 
on one side. Knots of sound character up to 
4 inches in diameter will be admitted in this 
grade, but each inch of the diameter of the knot 
shall be considered equal to a standard knot. 

Culls must be at least 3 inches wide. One 
side of eacli piece must be heart wood, but sap is 
not limited on the other side. This grade in- 
cludes lumber of any standard or special thick- 
ness and of any even length, 6 to 1(3 feet inclus- 
ive. It includes all lumber less than 1 inch 
-17- 



thick, unless marketed as a special tliickness, and 
lumber varying in thickness more than ] of an 
inch. It also includes lumber containing shakes, 
hearts, stain or unsound knots, and all lumber be- 
low commons which will work J clear. 

QUARTER-SAWED OAK AND 
SYCAMORE. 

Standards lengths are 12, 14 and l()feet; 12^ 
per cent, of 10 feet will be admitted. 

Standard thicknesses are 1, 1], H, 2, '2h, 3 and 
4 inches. 

Firsts must be at least (3 inches wide and free 
from defects, with the following exceptions, viz : 

A straight split in one end of a board or plank, 
not exceeding in length the width of the piece, or 
a defect equal to a standard knot, showing only on 
one side, in lumber 12 inches, or over, wide. 

Seconds must be at least 5 inches wide. Five 
inches wide must be clear. Six and 7 inches wide 
will admit of one small defect ; 8, 9 and 10 inches 
wide will admit of one defect equal to a standard 
knot ; 11, 12 and 18 inches wide Avill admit of two 
defects equal to standard knots; 14 inches, or 
over, wide will admit of three defects equal to 
standard knots. A straight split in one end of a 
board or plank, equal in length to twice the width 
of the piece, will be admitted in this grade if free 
from other defects. 

Commons must be at least 4 inches wide. Four 
inches wide must be clear ; G and 7 inches wide 
-18- 



will admit of one defect equal to a standard knot ; 
8 inches wide, and over, will admit of twice as 
many defects, equal to standard knots, as are 
admitted in seconds, or one or more larger knots 
according to the width of the piece, or a straight 
split in one end of a board or plank not exceeding 
one half the length of the piece. 

Culls must be at least 3 inches wide. 3 inches 
wide must be clear ; 4 inches wide may contain 
one defect equal to a standard knot ; 5 inches wide, 
or over, includes lumber below commons, which 
will work at least one half clear. 

POPLAR (or WHITEWOOD.) 

Standard lengths are 12, 14 and 16 feet ; 12J 
per cent, of 10 feet will be admitted. 

Standard thicknesses are 1,1^,U,2, 2^,3 and 
4 inches. 

Special thicknesses include ^, f, f, 5 and 6 
inches. 

Firsts must be at least 10 inches wide and free 
from defects, with the following exceptions, viz : 

Lumber 12 inches, or over, wide will admit of 
a straight split in one end not exceeding in length 
tlie width of the piece, or I the width of the piece 
of bright sap showing only on one side ; 16 inches, 
or over, wide will admit of one defect equal to a 
standard knot showing only on one side. 

Seconds must be at least 8 inches wide. 8 and 9 
inches wide must be free from defects ; 10, 11 and 
12 inches wide may contain one defect equal to a 
-19- 



standard knot; 13, 14 and 15 inches wide may 
contain two defects equal to standard knots, and 
10 inches, or over, wide may contain three such 
defects. A split in one end, not exceeding in 
length twice the width of the piece, or one fourth 
the width of the piece of bright sap showing only 
on one side, will be admitted in this grade, if free 
from other defects. 

Commons must be at least 6 inches wide. 6 and 
7 inches wide must be free from defects ; 8 and 9 
inches wide may contain one defect equal to a 
standard knot, and 10 inches, or over, wide will 
admit of twice the number of defects equal to 
standard knots that are admitted in seconds. 

A straight split in one end one half the length 
of the piece will be admitted. Bright sap is not 
limited in this grade. 

Culls same as Walnut, except that sap is not 
limited. 

OAK, ASH, MAPLE, HICKORY 
AND CHESTNUT. 

Standard thicknesses are 1, Ij, Ij, 2, 2^, 3 and 
4 inches. 

Special thicknesses include f, f, |, 5 and (> 
inches. 

Standard lengths are 12, 14 and 16 feet; 12^ 
per cent, of 10 feet will be admitted. 

Firsts must not be less than 8 inches wide and 
free from defects, with the following exceptions, 
viz: A straight split in one end of a board or 
—20— 



plank, equal in length to the width of the piece, 
will be admitted, or lumber 15 inches, or over, 
wide may contain one defect equal to a standard 
knot showing only on one side. 

Seconds, 1 and l^^ inches thick, must be at least 
6 inches wide and free from defects up to 8 inches 
in width ; IJ inches thick, or over, must be at least 
8 inches wide. 

Hearts, shakes and rot are excluded from this 
grade. Lumber 8, 9, 10 or 11 inches w'ide may 
contain one defect equal to a standard knot ; 12, 
13, 14 or 15 inches wide may contain two defects 
equal to standard knots; 16 inches Avide, or over, 
may contain three defects equal to standard knots. 
If free from other defects, a piece may contain 
a straight split in one end not exceeding in length 
twice the width of the piece. 

Commons must be at least 4 inches wide and 
free from hearts and rot. 4 and 5 inches wide 
must be clear; 6 and 7 inches wide may contain 
one defect equal to a standard knot ; 8 inches wide, 
or over, may contain twice the defects admitted 
in seconds, or may contain knots up to 4 inches in 
diameter, but each inch of the diameter of the 
knot must be counted as equal to a standard knot 
defect. Lumber 8 inches wide or over may con- 
tain a straight split in one end one half the length 
of the piece, or straight s])lits in each end, to- 
gether not exceeding one third the length of the 
piece. 



Culls must be at least 3 inches wide and of 
any even length, 6 to 16 feet inchisive. Three 
inches wide must be clear, but 4 and 5 inches 
wide may contain one defect equal to a standard 
knot. Six inches wide, or over, includes al! 
lumber below commons which will work one half 
clear. This grade includes lumber of any stand- 
ard or special thickness. It also includes lumber 
less than 1 inch thick, unless marketed as special 
stock, and lumber varying in thickness more than 
^ of an inch. 

BASSWOOD, COTTONWOOD, SYCA- 
MORE, ELM, BIRCH, BEECH 
AND GUM. 

Standard lengths are 12, 14 and If) feet. V2h 
per cent, of 10 feet is admitted. 

Standard thicknesses are 1, I4, 1^, 2, 2j, 3 and 
4 inches. 

Firsts must be at least 8 inches wide. 

Seconds must be at least 6 inches wide. 

Commons must be at least 4 inches wide. 

Culls must be at least 3 inches wide. 

Inspection, otherwise, same as Oak. 

o 

. Flooring lumber must have one side and both 
edges clear, and be at least 3 inches wide and 12, 
14 or 16 feet long. 

Siding lumber must be 6 inches wide or a mul- 
tiple thereof, and 12, 14 or 16 feet long. Firsts 
must be free from defects; seconds may contain 2 
—22- 



inches of bright sap, showing only on one side, or 
one defect equal to a standard knot. 

Counter tops must be at least 2U inches wide, 
1, 1 1, 1^ or 2 inches thick and 12, 14 or 16 feet 
long, and must be practically free from defects. 

Balusters must be Hxl|, 2x2, 2|x2j, 3x3 or 
4x4, 28 or 32 inches long, and practically free 
from defects. 

Newels must be ox5, <jx(3, 7x7, 8x8, 10x10 or 
12x12, 4 feet long or a multiple thereof, and 
practically free from defects. 

CoLu:\rNs must be 5x5, OxO, 7x7, 8x8 or 10x10, 
10. 12, 14 or l(j feet long, and practically free 
from defects. 

Lumber for special purposes, such as wagon 
poles, axles, harrow stock, &c., must be practi- 
cally clear. In such stock no grade is made 
between firsts and culls. 

A combined grade of firsts and seconds must 
contain at least 50 per cent, of firsts, and a com- 
bined grade of commons and culls must contain 
at least 40 per cent, of commons. , 

Lumber below or over the standard lengths, or 
not of standard thicknesses, must be marketed as 
special stock. 

Lumber one inch or less in thickness shall be 
counted at face measurement. 

In the measurement of boards or planks, frac- 
tions of less than | of an inch in the width will not 
be counted except in dimension lumber, f of a foot 
or over will be counted as one foot, unless the lum- 
—23- 



ber runs largely into such fractions, in which case 
the fraction will be counted on alternate pieces. 

All edged lumber shall be measured full, and 
lumber not edged shall be measured inside of the 
bark or wane. 

Seasoned lumber must be full in thickness, and 
green lumber must be j'g of an inch thicker for 
each inch in thickness than the size re(|uired 
when dry. 

All boards and planks should have straiglit 
ends and edges. Lumber not passably edged 
shall be reduced one grade. 

A standard knot must be of sound character 
and not exceed 1] inches in diameter. 

Tapering kimber shall be measured I of the 
distance from the narrow end. 

The grade of all boards and planks shall be 
determined from the poorer side. 

Lumber stained or season checked so that an 
even surface of the natural color of the wood can 
not be obtained by surfacing, must not be classed 
above culls. 

Lumber which will not work one half clear is 
mill culls and has no market value. 

The face measurement of each piece should be 
tallied separately, and the footings of lumber over 
1 inch should be multiplied by the thickness. 

GENERAL REMARKS. 

A person with little experience in the lumber 
business, nuiy acciuire a fair knowledge of grnd- 

—24- 



iug and measurement by studying the rules for 
inspection, but, without considerable experience, 
he cannot become a competent inspector. Neither 
is a person, who has learned the grading of only 
one kind of lumber, qualified to inspect all the 
varieties classed as hardwoods. 

Rules for inspection may be specific on meas- 
urement and may clearly outline the grades, but 
they cannot give the details and location of the 
innumerable defects. It must be left to the in- 
spector to decide what defects are equal to a stand- 
ard knot, and to determine the damage caused by 
stain, checks, etc. 

The grades of firsts, seconds, commons and 
culls apply to boards and planks of all kinds of 
hardwood. Firsts should be practically free from 
defects. Seconds should work about | clear, com- 
mons about f clear, and culls at least j clear. If 
a second 8 or 9 inches wide will admit of one 
standard knot, a second 10 or 11 inches wide 
should admit of a small additional defect, but in 
no case should the additional defect equal a stand- 
ard knot. This rule should be applied to all widths 
and to all grades. 

The waste caused by knots from 1 to 4 inches 
in diameter is estimated as one square foot of the 
thickness of the piece for each inch of the di- 
ameter of the knot. Small knots, worm-holes, 
gum and other dark, discolored spots, must be 
treated as defects. Many kinds of hardwood are 
finished in the natural color of the wood and 
—25— 



such defects must necessarily cause a waste, and, 
as inspectors are not supposed to know for what 
purpose lumber is intended, the only safe rule is 
to treat them as damaging defects in whatever 
kind of lumber they may be found. 

A board or plank with a straight check in each 
end may be admitted in the second grade if the 
combined length of the checks does not exceed 
the width of the piece, or may be admitted in the 
common grade if their combined length does not 
exceed one third the length of the piece. 

The grades are determined by the damage caused 
by defects, but no deductions are made from the 
full measurement inside of the bark or wane. 
Deductions from the width or length of a piece, 
for the purpose of raising the grade, are not al- 
lowed, unless the inspector is so instructed by the 
selling and purchasing parties. In short, no vari- 
ation from the rules should be made unless agreed 
upon by the contracting parties. 

WEIGHTS OF LUMBER. 

The following weights have nearly all been ob- 
tained from the average weights of car-load lots, 
and may be relied upon as being nearly correct. 
The figures are the pounds per 1,000 feet, board 
measure: 

GREEN. DRY. 

Walnut 5,600 3,800 

Cherry 5,200 3,700 

AVhite Oak 5,700 3,800 

Hard Maple 5,200 3,900 

AVhiteAsh 5,200 3,503 

Chestnut 5,400 3,000 

Sycamore 5,200 3,800 



GREEN. DRY. 

Hickory 5,600 4,200 

Beech 5,100 3,900 

Elm 5,100 3,600 

Butternut 4,200 2,300 

Yellow Poplar 4,000 2,400 

Basswood 3,900 2,200 

Cottonwood 4,000 2,300 



COLUMNS. 

Table giving the feet, board measure. 



SIZE. 


10 feet. 


12 feet. 


14 feet. 


16 feet. 


4 4 

5X5... 


13% 

20^ 

.30 

40% 

53% 

83% 


IG 
25 
3(5 
49 
64 
100 


18% 
29 
42 
57 
74% 
116% 


21% 
33% 
48 

65% 
85% 
13;^!% 


6X6 


7X7 

8X8 

10 10 



BALUSTERS. 

Table giving the inches, board measure. 



SIZE. 



I%xi3 

2 X2 
2%X23 

3 X3 

4 4 



LENGTH. 


28 in. 


32 in. 


5K 


() 


9% 


10% 


14% 


16% 


21 


24 


37% 


42% 



-27- 



NEWELS. 

Table giving the feet, hoard measure. 



5 5 


4 feet long. 
4 feet long, 
4 feet long. 
4 feet long. 
4 feet long. 
4 feet long. 


Si:, 

12 

\&% 

21'/;, 

48 


6X6 


7X7 


8X8 


10X10 

12X12 



LOGS REDUCED TO BOARD 
MEASUREMENT. 

The following table gives the number of feet of 
1-inch boards produced from logs from 8 to .HO 
feet in length and from 12 to M inches in diame- 
ter. It is obtained by the following rule : 

Subtract 4 from the diameter of the log; multi- 
ply the remainder by one half of itself ; multiply 
the product by the length of the log and divide 
the result by 8. 

Example: — 

Log S6 inches in diameter, 12 feet long; 

Diameter of log —4= 32 

Multiplied by one-half of itself — 512 

Multiplied by the length =(i,144 

Divided by 8 = TUS 



-2.S- 



h^G 


D. 


D. 


1). 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


1>. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


yr. 


12 


13 


14 


15 


16 


17 


18 


19 


20 


21 


22 


23 


24 


8 


32 


41 


50 


61 


72 


85 


98 


113 


128 


145 


16- 


> 181 


200 


9 


36 


46 


56 


68 


81 


95 


110 


127 


144 


163 


182 203 


225 


10 


40 


51 


63 


76 


90 


106 


123 


140 


1(50 


181 


203 226 


250 


11 


44 


5(i 


69 


83 


99 


116 


135 


155 


176 


199 


223 248 


275 


12 


48 


61 


75 


91 


108 


127 


147 


169 


192 


217 


243 271 


300 


13 


52 


66 


81 


98 


117 


137 


159 


183 


208 


235 


263 293 


325 


14 


56 


71 


88 


106 


126 


US 


172 


197 


224 


253 


284 316 


350 


15 


60 


76 


94 


113 


135 


158 


184 


211 


240 


271 


304 338 


375 


16 


64 


81 


100 


121 


144 


169 


196 


225 


256 


289 


324 361 


400 


17 


68 


86 


106 


129 


153 


ISO 


208: 


239 


272 


307 


344 384 


425 


18 


72 


91 


112 


136 


162 


190 


221 


253 


288 


325 


3(55 406 


450 


19 


76 


9(5 


119 


144 


171 


201 


233, 


267 


304 


343 


385 429 


475 


20 


80 


101 


125 


151 


180 


211 


245 


281 


320 


3(51 


405 451 


500 


21 


84 


106 


131 


159 


189 


222 


257 


295 


336 


379 


425 474 


525 


22 


88 


111 


l;i8 


166 


198 


232 


270 


309 


352 


397 


446 496 


550 


23 


92 


116 


144 


174 


207 


243 


282 


323 


368 


415 


466 519 


575 


24 


96 


122 


150 


1S2 


216 


254 


294 


338 


384 


434 


486 542 


(500 


25 


100 


127 


156 


1S9 


225 


264 


306 


352 


400 


4.52 


506 564 


625 


26 


104 


132 


163 


197 


234 


275 


319 


366 


416 


470 


527 587 


650 


27 


108 


137 


169 


204 


243 


285 


331 


3S0 


432 


488 


547 60f^ 


675 


28 


112 


142 


175 


212 


252 


296 


343 


394 


448 


506 


56' 


■ 632 


700 


29 


116 


147 


181 


219 


261 


306 


355 


408 


464 


524 


587 654 


725 


30 


120 


152 


188 


227 


270 


317 


368 


422 


480 


542 


608 677 


750 


LNG 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


D. 


B. 


D. 


D. 


FT. 
8 


25 
221 


2() 
242 


27 
265 


28 

288 


29 
313 


30 


31 
3(55 


32 

392 


33 
421 


34 


35 
481 


36 
512 


450 


9 


248 


272 


298 


324 


352 


380 


410 


441 


473 


506 


541 


576 


10 


275 


302 


331 


360 


391 


423 


456 


49C 


526 


563 


601 


t>40 


11 


303 


333 


3t)4 


396 


430 


465 


501 


539 


578 


619 


661 


704 


12 


330 


363 


397 


432 


469 


507 


547 


588 


631 


675 


721 


768 


13 


358 


393 


430 


468 


508 


549 


592 


637 


683 


731 


781 


832 


14 


386 


424 


463 


504 


547 


592 


638 


(>S6 


736 


788 


841 


896 


15 


413 


454 


496 


540 


586 


634 


683 


735 


788 


844 


901 


960 


16 


441 


484 


529 


576 


(>25 


676 


729 


7S4 


841 


900 


961 


1024 


17 


468 


514 


562 


612 


664 


718 


775 


S:'>3 


894 


956 


1021 


1088 


18 


496 


545 


595 


648 


703 


761 


820 


882 


946 


1012 ] 


1081 


1152 


19 


524 


575 


628 


684 


742 


803 


866 


931 


999 


1069 


L141 


1216 


20 


551 


605 


661 


720 


781 


845 


911 


98( 


1051 


1125 ] 


L201 


1280 


21 


579 


635 


694 


756 


820 


887 


957 


102i 


1104 


1181 ] 


1261 


IMi 


22 


606 


666 


727 


792 


859 


930 


1002 


1078 


1156 


1238 


321 


1408 


23 


634 


696 


760 


82.S 


898 


972 


1048 


1127 


1209 


1294 ] 


L381 


1472 


24 


662 


726 


794 


864 


938 


1014 


1094 


1176 


1262 


1350 ] 


L441 


1536 


25 


689 


756 


827 


900 


977 


1056 


1139 


1225 


1314 


1406 ] 


501 


1600 


26 


717 


787 


860 


936 


1016 


1099 


1185 


1274 


1367 


1463 ] 


562 


1664 


97 


744 


817 


893 


972 


1055 


1141 


1230 


1323 


1419 


1519 ] 


L622 


1728 


28 


772 


847 


926 


1008 


1094 


1183 


1276 


1372 


1472 


1575 ] 


L682 


1792 


29 


799 


877 


959 


1044 


1133 


1225 


1321 


1421 


1524 


1631 ] 


1742 


1856 


30 


827 


908 


992 


1080 


1172 


1268 


1367 


1470 


1577 


1(588 1 


L802 


1920 



:* .,1^^ 



I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




